Hi Pastor John,
In your message about Respect, you stated that we should not respect those who turn from the truth and that made me think of a relative of mine. He has fallen away from the truth and is backslidden, but I still love him. Is that considered as respect? I do not hold back in telling this relative that he is wrong and that he needs to turn from his ways. I really don’t know how to treat him at times, and if I see him after not having seen him for a while, I am happy, but there is definitely a distance between us now. I just hope I’m treating him the way I should.
Name Withheld
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Hi:
It sounds as if you are doing very well with this painful situation.
By “respect”, in this case, David was talking about respecting an unfaithful brother’s judgment and envying whatever earthly success they may enjoy in their sin. If we judge the matter rightly, we will not be tempted in the least to follow the example of a backslidden brother, or to any extent be influenced by him. Someone who truly loves God feels indignant when Jesus is dishonored by a person whom he has loved and blessed. A man who is unfaithful to Christ is foolish. He is neither trusted nor admired by those who truly love God. It is that attitude of heart, that depth of love for Jesus, which pleases God and brings to us His favor.
Pastor John